Terra State teams up with Crescent Manufacturing to distribute masks
As the threat of the novel coronavirus continues to loom over communities worldwide, local Fremont organizations are working together to find ways to help.
In March, many organizations, including Crescent Manufacturing and Terra State Community College, donated personal protective equipment (PPE) at the request of ProMedica. This got President of Crescent Manufacturing Mike Waleryszak thinking. “I started asking around and people in nursing homes needed masks and people at the plant need them,” said Waleryszak. “So, we decided to make masks for the plant and their families and then take care of the community.”
As a Trustee on Terra State’s Board, Waleryszak got the College involved as well. On April 14, Terra State Coordinator of Community Education Holly Hoffman picked up materials from Crescent and delivered the materials to volunteers to sew masks. “We have a group of 15 to 20 people between community education volunteers and Terra volunteers on standby waiting to sew,” said Hoffman.
Crescent began sewing masks last week with two people at the Fremont location and three to four people in their operation in Blissfield, MI. Waleryszak said they have finished around 100 masks already and plan to get more people on board to help.
“We would like to finish as many masks as possible with a goal of 500 or more,” said Terra State President Ron Schumacher.
Once masks have been provided to employees and their immediate families, distribution to the community, including nursing homes and hospitals, will begin.
Volunteers are looking forward to being a part of this effort. “Terra State Gracious Givers volunteer program and other volunteers are thrilled to be able to participate in giving back to our community to help our local heroes--the essential workers,” said Hoffman.
“It’s the right thing to do,” said Waleryszak. “We’re Americans and we take care of each other.”